1985 Chester B. Payne

Chester B. Payne was the 1985 Kelly Johnson Award recipient for outstanding achievement in the field of Flight Test Engineering.

The following is the original text from the Nomination from the Southeastern Chapter of the Society of Flight Test Engineers:

KELLY JOHNSON AWARD CANDIDATE CHESTER B. PAYNE

Chet Payne has been continuously engaged in flight testing since graduation from the University of Virginia in 1949. He joined the Lockheed-Georgia Company as a senior flight test engineer in 1959. Prior to joining Lockheed, Mr. Payne worked with NASA at Langley Field, Virginia on Dynamic load programs, and with the Martin Company at Baltimore, Maryland on the B-57 and P-6M flight test programs.

Since joining Lockheed, Chet has progressed through the management ranks as he worked on C-130, JetStar, C-141 and C-5 flight test programs. He is currently the manager of the Test and Evaluation Division of the Lockheed-Georgia Company. His responsibilities span the test functions associated with wind tunnels, environmental laboratories, flight controls and mechanical systems, fuel, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and all facets of flight testing. He is the Directorate Chairman of the High Technology Test Bed (HTTB) program.

Chet had the vision that an airborne test laboratory was the only way that new technology could progress to fruition. Through his conscientous single-handed effort the High Technology Test Bed became a reality. This is unique to the industry because flight test aircraft were and are devoted to product improvement rather than developing technology concepts. This flying test laboratory is now available to and will be utilized by colleges, universities, airborne oriented industries and government agencies such as DOD and NASA., The HTTB will be and has been used to evaluate and develop important airborne systems such as navigation, survivability, communications, engines, propellers, structural and aerodynamic configurations, and new cockpit concepts. It is anticipated that the HTTB vehicle will revolutionize the aircraft industry as far as developing future airborne systems. The attached brochure gives additional information on the HTTB.

Chet is an active member and past president of the Southeastern Chapter of the Society of Flight Test Engineers. He is a member of the AIAA Flight Technical Committee, and the AIA Flight Test and Operations Committee.

For his efforts in bringing into being and his leadership in directing the HTTB program, plus the major contributions he has made to the success of the flight programs in which he has participated in the past, the Southeastern Chapter proudly submits Chet Payne as their candidate for the Kelly Johnson Award.

The following is the original text from the letter to Chester from Clarence L. Johnson, congratulating Chet on the award, on June 12th 1985:

Dear Chet: Please accept my warmest congratulations on being the most recent recipient of the "Kelly" Johnson Award of' the Society of Flight Test Engineers. Your excellent management and direction of the HTTB program are a 'high-water mark for airborne test laboratories. The three world's records recently established by that airplane confirm your effective leadership. Best wishes for your future career and good luck in your future flights.